Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona: Episode Summary (March 18, 2025)

Hosted by John Holmberg with Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo

1. Listener Email: Exploring Italy Beyond the Tourist Trail

The episode kicks off with John Holmberg addressing a listener inquiry from "Tyson," who is currently in Italy and seeking authentic, non-touristy recommendations beyond the typical attractions. Tyson specifically requests insights into locations inspired by famous crime scenes or iconic movie settings.

John Holmberg opens the discussion by reading Tyson's email:

"[01:16] John Holmberg: 'I'm in Rome and I'm seeing. I need to go do some stuff. So ask Brett. I got three days left. I'm done. Venice and the rest of the country. Rome is the last spot. I need some cool Italian advice.'”

Brady Bogen suggests immersing in the heritage by visiting "The Godfather" movie locations:

"[02:12] Brady: 'I mean, I would, you know, just because of the heritage and everything. I'd start visiting, like the Godfather to, like, location.'”

The team anticipates Brady's predictable recommendation, steering the conversation towards more specific spots:

"[03:07] John Holmberg: 'Nobody's asking you. Of course, it's amazing. It's a tourist attraction not far from her. No, Brady, ask him where are the sites for the Godfather 2 stuff.'”

Bret Vesely emphasizes the necessity to venture into Sicily for authentic experiences:

"[02:23] Bret: 'You have to go to Sicily.'”

The hosts delve deep into iconic film locations, such as Don Chichio's villa—the site of pivotal scenes in "The Godfather Part II." They express a desire to experience these places firsthand, contrasting them with mainstream tourist spots like the Vatican or the Coliseum.

"[04:13] Brady: 'I'm in.'"
"[04:26] Brady: 'Don Chiccio's villa. You can visit that. All that kind of stuff.'"
"[06:00] Brady: 'He's kind of going back and forth.'"
"[09:16] Brett: 'Just tell him you want to go to the crap on the boot.'"

The conversation underscores a shared enthusiasm for uncovering the hidden gems of Italy, moving beyond the well-trodden paths to explore locations steeped in cinematic and historical significance.

2. Reflecting on Local Arizona Crimes and Notable Deaths

Transitioning from Italy, the hosts shift focus to notable crimes and deaths within Arizona, particularly highlighting incidents in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

John Holmberg reminisces about touring infamous sites in Los Angeles, drawing parallels to local Arizona stories:

"[10:07] John Holmberg: 'Full beach play in Los Angeles. We were just talking about this yesterday. The next day we'll drive around the Boys in the Hood sites and get out and start reenacting some of the scenes.'"

They discuss lesser-known Arizona incidents, such as the tragic end of legendary local radio personality Bill Haywood:

"[18:00] John Holmberg: 'He and his wife blasted themselves at the Homewood Inn. Homewood Sweeps or something like that. I feel bad. I don't like that.'"

Bret Vesely and Brady Bogen touch upon other local stories, including the mysterious circumstances surrounding certain deaths and the scarcity of high-profile crime scenes in Phoenix compared to major cities like LA.

3. A Memorable Encounter: When John's Voice "Smells Like Farts"

A particularly entertaining segment features John Holmberg sharing an unusual and humorous anecdote about meeting a listener whose wife associates his voice with an unpleasant smell.

John Holmberg recounts the encounter:

"[25:06] John Holmberg: 'She starts talking to us. And she's Canadian and she's a lawyer and she's a feminist. And she said something, she goes, you guys like the NBA, but do you like the WNBA?'"

The conversation takes a comedic turn when the listener's wife makes the unexpected comment:

"[26:43] John Holmberg: 'She goes, your voice. I've never had anybody say this to me before. Your voice smells like farts.'"

The hosts engage in playful banter about the bizarre connection between voice and odors, with John humorously critiquing the explanation provided:

"[29:08] Brett: 'And Gassy McGassey.'"
"[29:10] John Holmberg: 'Yeah, that's what it is. You've got Lou Gehrig's gas disease.'"

The segment highlights the show's trademark blend of humor and candid conversations, even delving into personal and quirky listener interactions.

Conclusion

In this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness, John Holmberg and his co-hosts navigate a mix of informative discussions on authentic Italian locations tied to famous movies and reflective conversations on local Arizona crimes. The highlight remains the amusing tale of a listener's unique feedback about John's voice, showcasing the show's ability to balance serious topics with lighthearted and entertaining stories. As always, the hosts maintain an engaging rapport, ensuring listeners are both informed and entertained throughout the morning show.

Notable Quotes:

• "I'm in Rome and I'm seeing. I need to go do some stuff." — John Holmberg [01:16]
• "Don Chiccio's villa. You can visit that. All that kind of stuff." — Brady Bogen [04:26]
• "Your voice smells like farts." — Listener's Wife [26:44]
• "You've got Lou Gehrig's gas disease." — John Holmberg [29:10]